Windows 7: Installing new W7 onto Samsung 970 Evo NVMe M.2: possible method?

I'm building a new W7 PC with a 250GB Samsung 970 Evo NVMe M.2 SSD boot drive.

From what I'm reading online, it seems that this might be a complicated process.

It's occurred to me that an easier method might be to install Windows onto a conventional SATA HDD, add all the necessary updates and drivers, then clone it to the SSD.


Comments?

Hi, I load Operating Systems to SATA and NVME M.2's all day every day for my work.
It is no different to loading to SSD or HDD's albeit a little faster.
Just disconnect all other drive's and use your prefered media to load Windows to it.
Then all Drivers starting with Chipset and a reboot.
Once your Device Manager tree is looking complete, re-connect other drives and load your prefered software.
For myself I would also be taking strategic Images on the way just so if I stuff up I can put my OS drive back to a better position to continue to loading.


Good Luck


WayneB

On new systems, the main problem isn't the 970 Evo NVMe but the MB chipset.
CoffeeLake CPU and chipsets aren't compatible with Win 7 as the previous SkyLake and CabyLake.
On a CoffeeLake you don't have Win7 drivers for internal graphics and USB, so you wont have mouse & keyboard. You have to install a graphics and USB cards.

Thanks, guys.
MeOnMine: Problem is, the Samsung 970 isn't recognized by the BIOS, so I don't see how I can load the system. Unless, as I said, I load the system onto a regular SATA drive then clone it to the SSD.
Megahertz07: I didn't know that about CoffeeLake, durn it. The CPU actually is a Coffee Lake Core i5 8400 6 Core LGA 1151 and the board is an Asus Prime H3730-M Plus.
Gawd! I can't contemplate installing W10. I'd rather eat toads stools

Unfortunately, M$ and partners are pushing hard towards Win 10 (and Linux) and with time they will succeed on killing Win 7.

The 970 Evo NVMe M.2 isn't listed as a SATA SSD. On my GA-Z170-HD3P BIOS, my SM951 M.2 it is listed on a dedicated tab.

Hi, in response.
Why would a M/B with a M.2 socket not be recognized by the BIOS and or Chipset.
Unless, the plot thickens and you are using a M.2 - PCIE adaptor.
But you are not, as already stated you are using a gen 8 M/B.
If you M/B has 2 x sockets for M.2 then you will find that only 1 of these will support NVME, usually the one away from the CPU (at the bottom) This can very and is shown in the manual and on the M/B if you look close.
I believe you can get around the win 10 dedicated syndrome but yes you need some skills.
I too can not digest the Win 10 idea, besides the telemetry it is the no Windows Media Centre that kills me.
WMC is some of the best software M$ have produced and then they kill it.
M$ sounds like a government some times hey!

MeOnMine: You asked, 'Why would a M/B with a M.2 socket not be recognized by the BIOS and or Chipset?'
I assume you meant, 'Why would an M2 drive not be recognized by the BIOS on this motherboard?'
I have no idea, but I've seen it mentioned online, several times. Tom's Hardware, IIRC.

Anyway, I can try the other M.2 socket. (And no, I'm not using a M.2 - PCIE adaptor)